Shotgun reloading, getting started with a few lucky finds

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ilikeoldguns

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I'm getting into shotgun reloading; I have a few helpful books I'm studying and a good hunk of odds and ends.

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There are my two reloaders. Both set up now for 12 gauge. I *think* based on perusing Mec manuals that these are both versamec 700s with type-C variable charge bars. I plan to keep one as a 12 gauge and set the other up for a set of 10gauge dies i found (pictured below). I think the charge bars are fine for anything i want to load. Both loaders are a little rusty, but have free movement and seem very serviceable. The two have some detail differences as you can see, but I am not sure what to make of that, besides both being set up for different length shells at current.

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I have these assorted parts; not 100% sure what I'm looking at here. I know the one is a "powder baffle"; do I need that? What does it really do? What value does it have for me as a reloading tool? I've got part of a primer feeder and this odd black metal frame/arm in the right hand side. That came off the other versamec, with some associated bolt and washers when it was set up with the 12 ga charge bar, seen below it. The charge bar looks like it has or may have a measuring insert jammed in it. Oddest is the black cylinder; I found that rolling around the back of the car after bringing the last of this home; what the heck is it? The pen is for scale.

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Here are my 10ga dies (441P-10) and the instructions that came with it. I am not sure what every piece is yet; I am still learning the nomenclature. Actually finding a guide for changing mec dies is proving difficult. The instructions say these are dies for a model 400, but I was told buying them online they would fit on anything; so I hope they work on my versamec. The part list has 14 parts, but I only count 13. Anyone have any idea what is missing? I think this kit and a short kit from Mec will allow me to handle loading 2 7/8ths inch hulls. Notably the bag it came in says it's for "standard and magnum" shells; I basically only knew about 3.5 and 2 7/8ths inc 10 ga shells; the 3.5s are obviously the magnums, would the 2 7/8ths be standard? I got this set basically new with a set of 16ga dies I plan to sell, pictured below. The die sets I see online don't quite look like these.

these are my 16ga dies (441P-16). I didn't get an instruction sheet for these, are they complete? They have a lot less parts than the 10ga; is there more interchangeability with a 12ga set?

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[/URL][/IMG] I got this Texan reloader (12ga) in an auction lot with one of the versamecs. It had a variable charge bar, but I removed it and plan to swap in the 12ga charge bar. Are these any good? I've never heard of them before. I don't need a 3rd reloader right now and I'd rather stick to better-known equipment in case something breaks or I have another problem, so i plan to sell this one. the tape just keeps the hoppers from getting lost.

Finally, I have a few questions, unrelated to any equipment I have now; I've been looking for 10ga hulls, but my only lead so far is Laramie's in Caledonia. Does anyone know an online source or any other brick and mortar sources for these in SW Ontario? Also, I'll need a trimmer, but all the ones I see advertised only trim 3.5inch shells down to 3inch (is that a "Standard" 10ga shell then? or are the seller's wrong?). Do I need to tumble or otherwise clean my used hulls? Lastly, I already have a setup for reloading rifle and pistol; so I have that basic equipment, is there anything else I need?

Thank you very much for your time.
 
I have a Mec 400 Superspeeder in 12 gauge, it is an older style of press that was built when paper shells were still the norm. I'm not sure if the dies for the 400 will work with the Versamec(s) . . . the 400 press is quite a bit different.
 
If you go on the MEC website, the parts diagrams and owners manuals are available for download. I suggest that you do that, your loader answers are there.

10 ga hulls may be ordered from Will Bilozir, the Ballistic Products importer for Canada. He is in Alberta. "Standard" 10 ga hull length is not 3" but 2-7/8" I believe. You likely won't find that length for sale, you must cut down 3-1/2" hulls. I use a Dremel tool abrasive disc cutter mounted in a drill press. Other methods work OK, ( heavy duty scissors can be used if no special tool is available ) but the Ballistic Products hull trimmer is no good. Inconvenient, expensive for what you get, and slow. You don't need to tumble shotgun hulls. Only inspect for mud and bird feathers etc. You will need to verify the shot/powder changes thrown by the MEC adjustable bar using the scale you already have for rifle reloading.
 
I am not sure where to start with this one :)
I started pulling handles probally in 1965 and by that time dad had upgraded from the mec 400 superspeeders which I think he bought in the late 50's

Ottv is the right they were built for paper hulls and although with the special crimping sleeve one could do plastic hulls they didnot do a real super job on them unless you really took your time and knew how to tweak your adjustments
As far as the dies fitting the versamecs or jr. not to my knowledge. It a totally different machine and has not been supported by MEC for many years
Selling them would be a tough one also since I bet we could count on one hand how many guys still pull a 400 handle but god knows
Sorry but the 400 dies are no good to you from what I remember
Just look at the 400 machine. It is not the same at all



On the two versamecs . They are also very old and look like they have the long stroke cam which was required when using the old high brass hulls and the earliest design. Regardless with some work you could bring one around. I am not sure where they were stored but it didnot do them any favors
Me I would make one out of the two, probally taking the one on the left all apart and removing all the rust etc
New Jr tools will fit on these but it is not a direct bolt on as I seem to recall and some drilling and grinding is required but it has to be 10 years since I upgraded one but have done them
Meaning these new design tools but the old chrome ones will work that you have just I like how the newer ones produce shells

In fact looking today I still have a old converted versamec down there in 20ga. It is the one in the back roll on the right behind the black 10ga steel master. No quite as old as yours but pretty dam close

On the adjustable bars don't trust them especially this vintage and weigh your drops with a scale until you see what is taking place. Me I have never found them that good but some others love them so to each their own . I think I use one for rough steel shot drops in a machine
Just don't spend a lot of money on these loaders since you will never get it back and honestly would never be as good as more modern jr but cleaned up it will still reload just fine for you which is the key if you don't mind a bit of work
On the texas I remember them but have no experience with them at all
Please post some pics when you complete the overhaul
All the best
 
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So...looks like I got totally hosed on those die sets...pity as I thought they were such a good deal. Such is life; living and learning the hard way.

Consulting mec, it looks like I have one pre-70s 600 and one versamec which is newer.

I could give a damn about looks so long as they work and they both seem to. Some of the Texan parts look compatible and it is so obscure I think I'll just cannibalize it. The die sets I'll likely toss up everywhere and see if anyone wants them. For what is there; they are in good shape, i think! If it proves an issue, I have the kind of friend everyone should have; a guy who is handy in almost all things and who i have to fight to let me pay him and he could break these down and get the rust off no problem.

I'd rather not spend hundreds of dollars on charge bars and bushings, but my research says that the variable charge bars have issues with larger than 3-shot (or maybe it was -1). So like the rest; It's a start, but not a final solution.

My aim is to eventually reload *any* kind of ammo for my old Winchester 1901 10ga and basically buck and slugs for my two 12ga and the .410 I want some day. It seems like bird-shot savings are so minuscule as to hardly be worth the time. Odd then that i cannot seem to find buckshot for reloading in any size, anywhere. I have some 4, 6 and 7.5 shot to get me started.

Got some great load data for short 10ga though! Some online stuff and a book on the short 10 (with an intro to the 8ga) that came highly recommended.

So; obviously 3mac1; you have been at this for ages and have had time to acquire what you need over time. It looks like you have one press for every gauge and mission, but does one also need a separate press for different length? Or is that well enough accounted for in the length adjusting bolts in both my presses?

I have both a 3 and a 2 3/4inch chamber gun in 12ga. Surely to start I can make do with one press, but do i eventually want a dedicated 3inch and a dedicated 12inch press?

I currently have a new (pre-82) 10ga die set and a short kit on order, which I plan to install on one of these presses (not sure which though, perhaps one is better for this than the other.)
 
ilikeoldguns said:
So...looks like I got totally hosed on those die sets...pity as I thought they were such a good deal. Such is life; living and learning the hard way.

Consulting mec, it looks like I have one pre-70s 600 and one versamec which is newer.

I could give a damn about looks so long as they work and they both seem to. Some of the Texan parts look compatible and it is so obscure I think I'll just cannibalize it. The die sets I'll likely toss up everywhere and see if anyone wants them. For what is there; they are in good shape, i think! If it proves an issue, I have the kind of friend everyone should have; a guy who is handy in almost all things and who i have to fight to let me pay him and he could break these down and get the rust off no problem.

I'd rather not spend hundreds of dollars on charge bars and bushings, but my research says that the variable charge bars have issues with larger than 3-shot (or maybe it was -1). So like the rest; It's a start, but not a final solution.

My aim is to eventually reload *any* kind of ammo for my old Winchester 1901 10ga and basically buck and slugs for my two 12ga and the .410 I want some day. It seems like bird-shot savings are so minuscule as to hardly be worth the time. Odd then that i cannot seem to find buckshot for reloading in any size, anywhere. I have some 4, 6 and 7.5 shot to get me started.

Got some great load data for short 10ga though! Some online stuff and a book on the short 10 (with an intro to the 8ga) that came highly recommended.

So; obviously 3mac1; you have been at this for ages and have had time to acquire what you need over time. It looks like you have one press for every gauge and mission, but does one also need a separate press for different length? Or is that well enough accounted for in the length adjusting bolts in both my presses?

I have both a 3 and a 2 3/4inch chamber gun in 12ga. Surely to start I can make do with one press, but do i eventually want a dedicated 3inch and a dedicated 12inch press?

I currently have a new (pre-82) 10ga die set and a short kit on order, which I plan to install on one of these presses (not sure which though, perhaps one is better for this than the other.)
Click to expand...

Yes sir been at the mecs since the 60's. I have probally double what you see in the pics since I am one of those guys that buys , upgrades and upgrades again and never sells the old stuff. Yes I like setting them up and leaving them. Like a 12ga for trap loads, one for steel 3" and one for steel 3 1/2
I have a 10ga for steel and one for lead set up. No you don't need a press for every length but when you change you have to tweek your adjustments again which to me is a pain
I have a short kit for the 12 ga but honestly never tried it
Just don't get frustrated take a morning and clean one up and get it ready for your new dies
All the best
To me the one on the left seem to be in the best shape and that is the one I would clean up and put the 10ga die set on
I cannot see the texan parts fitting but I know nothing about that machine
 
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